Tell us a little bit about your background...
I’m from China, Jiangsu province. I am an exchange student for the 3+1 dual degree program. I study Chinese Language and Literature (Teacher Education) back home and study TESOL and Intercultural Communication at Strathclyde.
What inspired you to study your chosen subject at Strathclyde?
Luckily, my undergraduate university has a partnership with Strathclyde, so I chose the subject nearest to my formal undergraduate subject. TESOL provides me with a brand-new view about education nowadays, including the tools of teaching and the methods of teaching. Learning more about education around the world inspired me to choose the subject.
What advice would you give to someone considering studying your course?
Teaching is not empty talk. Some practical experience of teaching is good for your learning. Meanwhile, many things in the classroom are different from the schools back home, such as the teaching methods, students number in a school, etc. So it’s essential to have an open mind. The courage of speaking in front of people is also needed.
Tell us a little bit about your experience on the course so far...
We are taking online courses so far. That’s an exciting thing for me because we have more time for preview. I’m not a fluent English speaker compared to native English speakers, so the online lecture provides me with a chance to thoroughly understand the content. What’s more, one of our classes is about digital learning, it’s like exploring a better learning method by ourselves in this situation.
How do you think this course will help prepare you for your future career?
I believe most of my classmates are taking this course to become a better English teacher in the future, and so do I. Unlike the teaching methods in China, which based on the realistic classroom and the syllabus, this course provides me with a broad understanding of teaching theories. People can choose the most suitable approaches for the students, which inspires me a lot.
Have there been any memorable moments on the course so far?
In one of our classes, we need to do 15 minutes of micro-teaching every week. I was so unconfident because I had no English teaching experience before. After one week of preparation, I finished my micro-teaching with tension. The classmates gave me high compliments which encourages me a lot. It was the first time I had to give a speech in front of other classmates, and it was such a success that I gained more confidence.
Any final points, or words of wisdom?
Don't worry and enjoy your problems!
